Life-saving device.



T. E. AUD.

LIFE SAVING DEVICE.

APPLICATION 11.31) APB.24,1912.

Patented Dec. 10, 1912.

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LIFE SAVING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.24,1912.

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THOMAS EDGAR AUD, OF HERNI DON, VIRGINIA.

LIFE-SAVING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Dec. 10, 1912.

Application filed April 24, 1912. Serial No. 692,823.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS EDGAR AUD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Herndon, in the county of Fairfax and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Saving Devices; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. i

This invention relates to an improved life saving device.

The object of the invention is to provide a simply constructed life preserver in the form of a garment for incasing the entire body except the head, and constructed to prloatect the wearer against both wet and co Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this class which may be quickly applied, and which will reliably support the wearer with his head and shoulders above water.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawingsFigure 1 represents a front elevation of this improved life saving garment applied; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof; Fig; 3 is a front elevation showing the garment with the parts in the position which they assume when the wearer first puts it on, with the storm collar open, and with buoyant weight supporting means deflated; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the upper portion of the garment; and Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

In the embodiment illustrated, a one piece body-incasing garment, 1 is shown in the form of what is commonly known as a union suit or garment, having feet and hand pockets continuous therewith. This garment 1 is constructed of any suitable water-proof material and is provided with a lining 2 of wool or other suitable non-conducting heat retaining material to protect the wearer against cold when the body is immersed in icy water. This garment is provided at its upper end with an opening 3, which is preferably Vshaped at its back and front, as shown at 45, to adapt the body of shield 5 has a tubular neck encircling portion 6, which is sufiiciently large to permit the limbs and body of the wearer to be inserted therethrough and when the garment is applied, as shown in Fig. 3, this neck-pop tion is gathered in around the neck of the wearer by a strap 7, which is passed through loops 8 on the outer face of said neck portion. This neck portion is made sufficiently long to be turned down over the strap, as shown in Fig. 3, in a manner similar to the collar of a turtle-neck sweater, and which not only forms additional Warmth around the neck of the wearer, but serves to prevent any passage of water.

A protecting storm collar 9 is arranged over the elastic neck portion and shield 5. This collar 9 extends down over the back of the garment and is permanently secured thereto below the opening 3 therein,-

as is clearl shown in Fig. 2. This collar has side flaps 10 and 11, which form the front portion thereof and are adapted to be adjustably closed by means of straps 12, or other adjustable fastening elements which will permit the collar to fit persons of different sizes, the edges of said collar being overlapped to prevent the entrance of water. A strap or belt 13 is secured to the outer face of the collar 9 at the lower edge thereof at the back of garment, as is shown in Fig. 2. and passes around the shoulders of the wearer under his arms with the ends extended through loops 14 on the collar 9,

and said ends are adjustably connected over Y the chest of the wearer, being drawn as tight as possible to cause the garment 1 to be bound tightly and closely around the chest and shoulders of the wearer and thereby prevent the downward passage of any water which might possibly pass in around the neck of the garment.

One or more annular casings or pockets 15 extend around the body portion of the garment 1, two being here shown spaced a suitable distance apart and compo'sedofl anyg suitable strong fabric, which is preferably? similar to the outer casing of. a' pneumatic tire to avoid any danger of punctures being formed therein. These pockets or: casings 15 are provided with longitudinal :slits 16 formed therein at the front portion" of the garment, and through which inner inflatable tubes 17 are adapted to be inserted. These slits are closed by the usual lacing elements 18, as shown .in Fig. '1. These inner tubes 17 are constructed similar tothe inner tubes of a pneumatic tire and are provided with inflating valves as 19," having a rubber hose 20 connected therewith, and" which is adapted to be inserted in the mouth of the wearer for inflating the tube 17 after the garment has been applied. It will be:v obvious that this inner tube 17 may be in-f flated either before or after the slits have been laced, preferably after. I

While two only of the pockets 15 have been shown, it is, of course, to be understood that any desired number may be employed, two being usually suflicient for su's-- taining the weight of the wearer of the gar'-. ment with his head and shoulders above water.

It will be understood that if one of the casings 15, with its inflated hose orfmem ber 20, is used it must be made sufliciently large to float the garment and its occupant, but I preferably employ more than one so that should onevbecome punctured and'de- 1. A water-proof union being V-shaped at the frontand back of the garment, an elastic shield or gimp cegarment having. I ,anbpening at its upper end, said openingv ment-ed at its lower edge to the edge of said opening, said shield having an enlarged tu- Y 'bular elastic neck piece with its upper end foldable downwardly, an adjustable element forfcontracting. said neck piece to snugly .fitthe neck of the wearer, a protecting storm collar arranged over said neck piece and shield, and a buoyant element carried by said garment.

Y 2. A water-proof union garment having an elastic upper portion with an enlarged expansible tubular neck, means for retracting said neck, a storm collar having shoulderand chest protecting extensions and secured to the back of said garment, adjustable means for closing the front edges of said collar, a belt secured to the back of the garment and movably engaged with the lower edge of thefront portion of said collar, and a buoyant element carried by said garment. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Y THOMAS EDGAR AUD.

Witnesses:

' L. O. HILTON,

J. R. Hoes. 

